Two Gis Charged In Iraqi Deaths

July 01, 2007|By Ned Parker/Los Angeles Times

BAGHDAD — Two U.S. soldiers have been charged with premeditated murder in connection with the deaths of three Iraqis, and with planting weapons on the bodies in order to cover up their crimes, the Army announced Saturday.

The men were identified as Staff Sgt. Michael A. Hensley of Candler, N.C., and Spc. Jorge G. Sandoval Jr., of Laredo, Texas. Hensley faces three counts of premeditated murder, obstructing justice and planting weapons, the U.S. military said in a statement. Sandoval faces one count of premeditated murder and another count of planting a weapon.

The crimes allegedly took place between April and June around Iskandariya, about 30 miles south of Baghdad, the military said.

Sandoval was detained on June 26 while home on two-week leave and was sent to Kuwait, where both soldiers are being held in solitary confinement.

The men had been based in Iraq with the headquarters of the first battalion, 501st infantry regiment, fourth brigade of the 25th Infantry Division from Fort Richardson, Alaska.

The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division, was opened after fellow soldiers informed commanders of their suspicions. The men face so-called Article 32 hearings, which will determine the veracity of the charges and, if merited, send them on for court- martial proceedings.

The alleged murders happened not far from Mahmudiya, where three U.S. soldiers were abducted in May. *